Bruce Pyle has over 45 years of government contracting and procurement experience. After serving in the U.S. Navy as a Supply Corps officer, which included a visit to Southeast Asia, Mr. Pyle worked for the Air Force as a buyer, cost analyst and contracting officer. READ MORE

Since its inception in 2003 the Northeastern California Small Business Development Center has served a wide array of industry sectors in our service region.

Memorial Day is known as the "unofficial start" of summer. While the calendar lists June 21 as the Summer Solstice, the truth is that America's mindset changes after the last Monday in May. Colleges will soon host their graduations and younger students will wind down their academic years within a few weeks.

These events impact small businesses. In towns with "walkable" business districts, the arrival of summer means a big increase in business. People like to sit down at outdoor cafes and enjoy the warm weather. Franchises, such as Rita's Ice or Cold Stone Creamery, as well as locally owned ice cream shops, are likely to see longer lines. Car washes, golf courses, driving ranges, and movie theaters will see an uptick in business. So will specialized sports camps that cater to young soccer, baseball, lacrosse players. READ MORE